The U.S. Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) has announced that during the lapse in Federal funding for certain Government operations which began January 20, ongoing benefit payments will continue and all RRB offices are expected to remain open.

RRB field offices, operating with reduced staffs, will continue to accept new claims for unemployment and sickness benefits, as well as new applications for retirement, survivor, and disability benefits. Persons receiving ongoing benefit payments are still obliged to report any events that would affect the payment of their benefits.

Individuals calling the RRB’s toll-free telephone number (1-877-772-5772) and having difficulty in reaching an agency representative are asked to be patient as offices are operating with a very limited staff.